A WOMAN watched in horror when her elderly father's car left the road and ploughed into a tree.

Attempts by paramedics to resuscitate Kenneth John Thompson, 74, failed and he was pronounced dead at Blackburn Infirmary.

His daughter, Shirley Thompson, 42, had been travelling along Stancliffe Street, Blackburn, behind his Fiat Panda, when the accident happened at 12.40pm on Saturday.

She said: "We had just gone to pick up some hay for our horses when I saw his car start drifting across the road.

"He was only going slow and went on to the forecourt of a disused petrol station before hitting a tree head-on."

Mr Thompson's widow Gwenith, 76, of Valley Road, Wilpshire, paid tribute to her husband who was the warden and verger at Salesbury Church for more than 40 years. She said: "He was the Scout leader for 25 years and well known for his community work.

"His other interest was watching Blackburn Rovers and he had been a season ticket holder since 1959."

"He had always been very active and enjoyed helping others.

"Only last year he travelled to Russia with the Friends of Chernobyl's Children charity."

He also leaves a son, Gordon, 47, and three granddaughters.

Inspector Stuart Coates of Darwen Police, who was at the scene, said: "It is a very tragic accident and appears that Mr Thompson may have collapsed at the wheel."

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